New commander nominated for 7th Fleet

May. 17, 2013 - 05:04PM
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Rear Adm. Robert Thomas Jr. (Navy)

A submarine officer is in line to become the next commander of 7th Fleet, the Defense Department announced Friday.

Navy Rear Adm. Robert Thomas Jr., has been nominated for his third star and to head 7th Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan. Thomas is serving as chief of staff, J5, Joint Staff, Pentagon, in Washington. He would replace Vice Adm. Scott Swift.

Thomas has previously served in Yokosuka as commander of Submarine Group 7, and has commanded Task Force 74 and Task Force 54. He is a career submarine officer and has served on fast-attack submarines in U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. He received a Master of Science in National Security Studies from the National War College in Newport, R.I.

Swift attended San Diego State University and was commissioned in 1979 through the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program. He has served in combat Operations Praying Mantis, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.